Ein Beitrag von Horst Hermann von Allwörden
Without a doubt John
Howe belongs to the first row of Tolkien illustrators.
Along with Alan Lee, he was "conceptual designer" for Peter Jackson's
film version of 'Lord of the Rings'. He is also in the making of 'The Hobbit'.
But to reduce him solely for illustrating Tolkien and Middle-earth would mean to neglect a huge part of the artist and person John Howe. There is still a lot to discover, not only the fact that he is an active member of an association that wants the Middle Ages to come alive.
In addition, his book "Lost Worlds" was
just published in Germany by Arena. A wonderful reason for us to ask him some
questions. We caught him just before he traveled to New Zealand to work
on the Hobbit with del Toro and Jackson.
Ein Beitrag von Bettina von Allwörden (Meister)
Sam Llewellyn
352 pages, 8,99
April 6th 2009
English
ISBN: 978-1407102405
Publisher: Scholastic
If something can swim, it has to be a monster. And if a person can
swim, it must be a "mix", a hybrid creature, half man, half
monster, because people do not swim.
This is just one of the
rules that govern the lives of people in the land of Lyonesse. Water is
vital, but also threatening, and therefore anything that comes out
of the water and isn't a fish.
When Idris Limpet, the son of a simple
fisherman's family, falls out the window of a tower, hits
the water - and survives, he is confronted with this knowledge,
and the consequences it has for a man, if one is believed to be such a
hybrid being.
Ein Beitrag von Bettina von Allwörden (Meister)
Autumn is coming - inevitably, as the tides, day and night they alternate, the seasons.
Today is the first afternoon of this summer, where we have an almost autumnal afternoon, with clouds, with a blanket in the chair, a cat, a cup of coffee, a book.
It and is just the perfect moment to re-dedicate myself to that book that I have jealously been guarding over the summer, and which reads best starting Sept 22nd, because, strictly speaking, it starts around that day.
Ein Beitrag von Bettina von Allwörden (Meister)
As the daughter of a wealthy English couple, Mary Lennox grows up in India. Largely ignored and neglected by her parents, she is left to the care and education of Indian servants.
The drama that takes place is, even for that time, frightening: During an outbreak of cholera in the region where the house of her parents is, nearly all residents die, including their parents. Those who survived, have fled the place. Mary could only avoid an infection since she didn't dare to leave her room - so she survived. When they find her, now an orphan, she is being sent to a distant relative in England, which now - as her guardian - is responsible for her.
Ein Beitrag von Bettina von Allwörden (Meister)
Ari Berk is a professor, an illustrator, an author ... a highly interesting person to talk to. After having had the opportunity to read a variety of his books, including "How to be a Viking", "The Secret History of Giants" (review in German only) and ".... MERMAID LINK EINFÜGEN", we thought we really should talk to him about what he does.
No wonder, the result is more than only one interview. After the first interview on the "Order of the Golden Quills", we continue with a more sophisticated talk about his work.
He is a professor at the Central University of Michigan and his page of the university-website names (among others) "Folklore Belief and Custom in Rural Britain, Celtic Mythology and American Indian Ethnography as his research interests.
... Sam Llewellyn on Scilly, Arthus and Lyonesse
... John Howe on »Lost Worlds«, Tolkien, Jackson, del Toro, reenactment and inspiration
The Secret Garden -
... Ari Berk on popular writing, modern mysticism and its creatures